Phoenician

Culture
 Introduction
Purpose: Conduct an interview with a person from a different cultural background to learn about their culture. Share
the assignment goals to have an authentic discussion.
Method: Interviewed my aunt Mala via a video call to learn about her Phoenician cultural heritage.
Mala immigrated to the U.S. from Lebanon 30 years ago. She identifies with Phoenician ancestry as Lebanon was
part of the Phoenician civilization.
I explained this cultural research assignment and my goal to learn about her perspectives on Phoenician history and
culture.
Mala was happy to share her knowledge and views to further my understanding of this important yet often overlooked
part of cultural history.
We had an insightful discussion where she provided information on Phoenician society based on her cultural
background and studies.
 History of phonecians
• The Phoenicians were an ancient civilization that originated from
the coastal cities of the Levant region (modern day Lebanon).
• They were a sophisticated culture known for their seafaring, trade,
and invention of the alphabet.
• Phoenicians date back to around 1500 BC, with major cities like
Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, and Arwad.
• Powerful maritime traders who controlled major trade routes
across the Mediterranean. Their ships carried cedar wood, glass,
dyes, textiles, wines, metals and more (Dilek, 2023).
• Established colonies across the Mediterranean, including Carthage
in North Africa. Spread their culture and alphabet.
• Developed the first known alphabetic writing system, which
influenced Greek and Latin scripts. Used for business and
communication.
 Cultural Treatment
• The Phoenician culture is not well represented in the modern day United States, as they were
an ancient civilization that existed from approximately 1500-300 BCE.
• Most modern day Lebanese Americans (around 540,000) trace their ancestry back to
Lebanon, which was part of the Phoenician coastal civilization. However, after centuries of
various conquering civilizations, the connection is diluted.
• There are a few American organizations that celebrate Phoenician heritage and lobby for
recognition, such as the National Association of Phoenicians and Americans United for
Phoenicia. However, these are very small interest groups (Edrey 2023).
• In the 2010 US census, less than 9,000 Americans claimed Phoenician ancestry. This is not
a census-recognized category.
• There are no known concentrations or communities of Phoenician-Americans in any US
city. Occasional cultural events may highlight Phoenician history and identity.
 Key characteristics of this cultural group

Language:
Spoke the Phoenician language, a branch of Canaanite language part of the Semitic language family.
Phoenician alphabet - originated the first known phonetic alphabet script that influenced Greek, Latin, Arabic, Hebrew
alphabets. Used for trade and communication.

Values:
Innovation - Constantly created new technologies and techniques for naval transport, engineering, glass-making, dyes, and

more (Elshaikh, n.d.).

Commerce - Highly entrepreneurial spirit focused on maritime trade routes and exchange of goods. Established colonies and
trade networks throughout the Mediterranean.
 Customs

• Seafaring - Ship-making and naval navigation were core to their civilization. Traveled far for trade.

• Craftsmanship - Skilled artisans of glass, dyes, metals, jewelry, pottery, ivory carvings, and more. Produced luxury goods.

• Engineering - Built large scaled public works like harbors, temples, palaces (Garbati, 2022).

• Religion - Polytheistic beliefs focused on gods like Baal, Astarte, Melqart. Rituals and animal sacrifices were important.

• Funerary practices - Buried the dead with offerings in sarcophagi, urns and funerary masks.
 Group portrayal in the media
• Referenced in some documentaries and TV shows about the ancient world, ancient
civilizations, and the origins of the alphabet. Often brief mentions.
• Can appear as background characters/civilizations in fictional movies, books or games set in
the ancient Mediterranean world. However, they are rarely the focus.
• Portrayed positively when their technological innovations, maritime skills, artistry, and
accomplishments in trade are highlighted. For example, the spread of their alphabet as a
major contribution (Garnand, 2020).
• Can be exoticized in fictional depictions that focus on mysticism, pagan rituals, or occult
magic.
• Depictions lack nuance about daily life, culture, and individual achievements. The civilization
as a whole may be reduced to their trading identity.
 Oppression Faced by Phoenicians

• Conquered by major empires like Egypt, Babylon, Assyria from 15th-9th

century BCE
• Forced to pay tributes after conquest by these empires
• Subjugation under foreign rule led to loss of autonomy
• Persian rule starting 539 BCE also ended Phoenician independence
• Gradual cultural assimilation under Greek influence and Hellenization
• Absorption into Roman province in 64 BCE marked end of long decline
(Killebrew, 2023).
 Privileges of Phoenicians
• Initial prosperity and power through maritime trade
dominance in Mediterranean
• Accumulated wealth and status from naval strengths
and colonies
• Invention of the alphabet provided major
communication advantage
• Skills in crafts, engineering and seafaring
distinguished their civilization
• Centuries of self-determination before conquest by
empires (López-Ruiz, 2022).
• Legacy of cultural exchange and alphabet innovation
long outlived them
 Social standing on privilege
Since the Phoenician civilization died out around 2,000 years ago, they do not have a current social standing. However,
here is a summary of how their social standing shifted over time between oppression and privilege:
Periods of Privilege:
• Monopoly over maritime Mediterranean trade routes brought economic prosperity and prestige. Their ships and
colonies spread their influence widely.
• Invention of the alphabet provided a major advantage in communication, record-keeping, and commerce over
other contemporaneous cultures (López-Ruiz n.d).
• Engineering abilities allowed them to build impressive harbors, temples, and cities, demonstrating their advanced
civilization.
• Dominance in skilled crafts like glass, dyes, ceramics, jewelry, ivory carvings made them producers of highly valued
luxury goods (Sassine, 2019).
 Social standing on oppression
Periods of Oppression:
• Over time, their city-states were conquered by the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians, who extracted
heavy tributes (López-Ruiz & Doak, 2019).
• Loss of autonomy and self-determination under the rule of successive empires diminished their power and status.
• Hellenization led to displacement of their language, customs, and religions by Greek practices over centuries.
• Their cultural identity faded as their political and economic power waned.
• Final absorption into the Roman empire marked the complete dissolution of Phoenicia as a distinct civilization.
 Best way to be an ally of this group
Since the Phoenician civilization no longer exists as a distinct cultural group, there are limited ways to be an ally.
However, some suggestions include:
• Supporting museums and academic programs focused on Phoenician history, culture, and archeology to
promote further study and education.
• Advocating for fair and accurate portrayals of Phoenicians in media, educational resources, and popular
culture rather than exotified stereotypes (Nitschke, 2018).
• Amplifying Lebanese-American and Levantine voices sharing perspectives on Phoenician cultural heritage
and contributions to the region.
• Honoring Phoenician accomplishments in trade, navigation, crafts, and the alphabet as innovations that
shaped the ancient Mediterranean world.
 Conti’n…
• Challenging instances where Mediterranean or Levantine civilizations are dismissed as less advanced or
impactful compared to ancient Western cultures (Rawlinson, 2022).
• Promoting language and linguistic study that highlights the Phoenician alphabet as the ancestor of many
modern alphabets.
• Practicing cultural sensitivity when visiting Phoenician archaeological sites and museums in countries like
Lebanon (Oggiano, 2019).
• Supporting organizations that preserve Phoenician history and advocate for relevant social/political causes
in Phoenician homeland areas.
 Conclusion: Reflections on Exploring Phoenician Culture

• Fascinating to learn about an influential yet often overlooked ancient civilization

• Gained appreciation for their maritime expertise, artistic skills, and alphabet innovation
• Important to recognize periods of power and privilege as well as decline into oppression
• Cultural extinction under Roman rule ended centuries of declining autonomy
• Contemporary relevance unclear due to lack of living descendants or communities
• Still crucial to counter biased portrayals and acknowledge their cultural legacy (Porzia, 2019).
• Studying ancient civilizations expands my cultural awareness of the foundations of human society
• Highlights that dominant cultures today gained knowledge from past civilizations, debunking notions of
cultural superiority
• Understanding diverse perspectives on ancient history enhances cultural competence and combats
ethnocentrism
 References

DİLEK, Y. (2023). Naming in The Context of Ancient Cultural Schema: The Case of Canaanite And Phoenician
Cultures. Iğdır Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, (32), 209-219.
Edrey, M. (2023). Phoenician Religion and Cult across the Mediterranean. Journal of Eastern Mediterranean
Archaeology and Heritage Studies, 11(2), 139-142.
Elshaikh, E. (n.d.). READ: Phoenicians - Masters of the Sea (article). Khan Academy.
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/whp-origins/era-3-cities-societies-and-empires-6000-bce-to-70
0-c-e/32-long-distance-trade-betaa/a/read-phoenicians-masters-of-the-sea-beta
Garbati, G. (2022). “Fingere l'identità” Ten Years on: Phoenicians beyond Identity. Rivista di studi fenici: L, 2022, 33-
40.
Garnand, B. K. (2020). Phoenicians and Greeks as comparable contemporary migrant groups. A Companion to
Greeks Across the Ancient World, 137-171.
Killebrew, A. E. (2023). The History and Archaeology of Phoenicia by Hélène Sader, and: Phoenician Identity in
Context: Material Cultural Koiné in the Iron Age Levant by Meir Edrey, and: Phoenicians and the Making of
the Mediterranean by Carolina López-Ruiz. Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage
Studies, 11(2), 366-372.
 References

López-Ruiz, C. (2022). Phoenicians and the Making of the Mediterranean. Harvard University Press.
López-Ruiz, C. Phoenicians and the Iron Age Mediterranean.
López-Ruiz, C., & Doak, B. R. (Eds.). (2019). The Oxford Handbook of the Phoenician and Punic Mediterranean. Oxford
Handbooks.
Nitschke, J. (2018). What is Phoenician about Phoenician material culture in the Hellenistic period?. Topoi. Orient-
Occident, 13(1), 207-238.
Oggiano, I. (2019). Who were the “Phoenicians”? A set of hypotheses inviting debate and dissent-JOSEPHINE
CRAWLEY QUINN, IN SEARCH OF THE PHOENICIANS (Miriam S. Balmuth Lectures in Ancient History and
Archaeology; Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ2018). Pp. xxvii+ 335, figs. 43. ISBN 978-0-691-17527-0.
$35. Journal of Roman Archaeology, 32, 584-591.
Porzia, F. (2018). Imagine There's no Peoples: a Claim against the Identity Approach in Phoenician Studies
through Comparison with the Israelite Field. Imagine There's no Peoples: a Claim against the Identity Approach in
Phoenician Studies through Comparison with the Israelite Field, 11-27.
Rawlinson, G. (2022). History of phoenicia. DigiCat.
 References

Thanks!